Reformation 500 Lectures 2017-2018

Commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, a plan to offer a series of Reformation lectures under the theme “The Lutheran Reformation was an Educational Movement” during the 2017-18 school year is underway. A list of speakers have been developed for the three topics:

Lecture 1: Educating Youth at the Time of the Lutheran Reformation
(Wednesday, November 1, 2017, 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. by Prof. Paul Koelpin)

The focus of this lecture will be the concrete ways the Lutheran Reformation impacted the education of young people. We have heard Luther speak out in support of Christian education in texts like “A Sermon on Keeping Children in School” and “To the Councilmen of All the Cities of Germany that They Establish and Maintain Christian Schools.” The goal of this lecture is to explore in a concrete way what exactly this meant for grade school instruction, curriculum, and teacher preparation in those lands that adopted the Lutheran Reformation. How was school different for a child because of the Lutheran Reformation? How have these changes been a blessing to elementary education in our Lutheran schools down to this very day?

 

Lecture 2: Educating Pastors at the Time of the Lutheran Reformation
(Sunday, February 11, 2018, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. by Dr. John Brenner)

The focus of this lecture will be the concrete ways the Lutheran Reformation impacted the training of Lutheran clergy. In his “To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation” in 1520, Luther had laid out proposals for educational reform at the university level. This was followed by very specific suggestions in “Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors in Electoral Saxony” in 1528. The goal of this lecture is to explore in a concrete way what exactly this meant for the university courses and the university course of study that prepared the next generation of Lutheran pastors in lands that adopted the Lutheran Reformation. How was training for the pastoral ministry different for a student after the Lutheran Reformation? How have these changes been a blessing to pastoral training in our college and seminary down to this very day?

 

Lecture 3: Educating Society at the Time of the Lutheran Reformation
(Sunday, April 15, 2018, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. by Dr. Gottfried Herrmann of the Evangelisch Lutherische Freikirche of Germany)

In his treatise of 1524, “To the Councilmen of All the Cities of Germany that They Establish and Maintain Christian Schools,” Luther had argued that Christian schools are essential not only for the welfare of the church, but also for the welfare of the home and the world. The goal of this lecture is to explore in a concrete way how exactly the changes in the educational system brought by the Lutheran Reformation, along with Luther’s doctrine of the two kingdoms, impacted homes and the world as schools sought to train the whole person of God. How did Luther’s push for a well-educated Christian citizenry, increased financial support for Christian schools, and his doctrine of the two kingdoms impact day-to-day life in lands that adopted the Lutheran Reformation? And what was the impact in everyday life of a Bible in the vernacular, doctrinal texts aimed at the home, and treatises written to and for the common man?

MLC students, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary students, area called workers, lay people and WELS leaders outside this area will be invited to attend.

Watch for more information in the months to follow.